About CARA
The Indo-Pacific is on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Communities and landscapes across the region are highly vulnerable to rising seas, biodiversity loss, degradation of land and water, and more frequent and intense storms and heatwaves. These impacts have compounding effects on economic growth, conflict and stability, and migration.
Reducing emissions is critical but not enough on its own as a response to the climate crisis. The global climate system has changed and there is an urgent need to invest in adaptation measures to cope with worsening climate stresses. The poorest and most vulnerable communities are hardest hit, and many countries lack the significant resources needed to respond to crises and build resilient systems and infrastructure. The gap between adaptation needs and action remains large.
Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) is the UK government’s flagship programme to help address the ‘adaptation gap’ in the Indo-Pacific. Working with governments, regional institutions, marginalised communities, and businesses, CARA is increasing resilience to climate change and laying the foundations for transformational change and green growth.
Who we are
CARA is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It is central to the British government’s commitment to tackling climate change, restoring nature, and supporting countries at the forefront of the crisis. To achieve impact at scale, we are working closely with five main implementation partners across seven interlinked themes that address a broad swathe of critical climate adaptation themes.
The Flexible Fund component allows FCDO to deliver responsive and innovative programming through other partners across the Indo-Pacific region.
How CARA delivers impact
Climate Finance Network (CFN)
The UNDP is unlocking and directing finance towards impactful climate action through technical support and capacity building.
Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER)
The UK Met Office is improving the quality, accessibility and use of weather and climate information services at all levels.
Urban Resilience Trust Fund (URTF)
Through this multi-donor trust fund, the ADB is enabling urban areas to survive and thrive in a climate-changing world.
Resilient Asia Program (RAP)
The World Bank is building climate resilience in South Asia by shaping policies and investments and promoting regional cooperation.
Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP)
ICIMOD is reducing disaster risk and promoting green economies to support vulnerable Himalayan communities and landscapes.
Community Resilience Partnership Program (CRPP)
ADB is helping countries and communities scale up investments that explicitly target the nexus among climate change, poverty, and gender.
Flexible Fund
Managed by the FCDO, this demand-responsive fund is allocated based on needs identified by UK missions across the Indo-Pacific.
The climate crisis has had a disproportionate impact on poor and marginalised communities, underlining the need for mechanisms that specifically support and empower vulnerable groups. Across all components of CARA, we will prioritise Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion to ensure meaningful representation of women and marginalised groups. CARA is also continuously monitoring the progress of its activities and documenting learnings to keep our work transparent, accountable, and accessible.
Test project
Sri Lanka
Where we work
CARA’s diverse portfolio of projects is driving ambitious climate action across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. As a regional programme, CARA has the potential to support new partnerships and work at different scales, from transnational right down to the community level.